US 11,857,173 B2
Lateral retractor system and methods of use
Randall G. Mast, Denver, CO (US); Alan R. Burkholder, Denver, CO (US); Andrew Schifle, Superior, CO (US); Adam Kanter, Gibsonia, PA (US); and David O. Okonkwo, Pittsburgh, PA (US)
Assigned to Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc., Westminster, CO (US)
Filed by Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc., Westminster, CO (US)
Filed on Jan. 4, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/140,963.
Application 17/140,963 is a continuation of application No. 16/356,261, filed on Mar. 18, 2019, granted, now 10,905,408.
Application 16/356,261 is a continuation of application No. 15/921,431, filed on Mar. 14, 2018, granted, now 10,299,777.
Application 15/921,431 is a continuation of application No. 15/183,380, filed on Jun. 15, 2016, granted, now 9,943,301.
Application 15/183,380 is a continuation of application No. 13/601,887, filed on Aug. 31, 2012, granted, now 9,572,560.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/529,756, filed on Aug. 31, 2011.
Prior Publication US 2021/0153859 A1, May 27, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 17/02 (2006.01); A61B 17/70 (2006.01); A61B 17/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 17/0206 (2013.01) [A61B 17/025 (2013.01); A61B 17/7079 (2013.01); A61B 2017/00477 (2013.01); A61B 2017/0256 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A surgical retractor comprising:
a retractor body including a medial longitudinal axis;
a first armature including a first gear and a second armature including a second gear, each armature pivotably connected to the retractor body;
a retractor blade affixed to a distal portion of the first armature;
a central drive located internal to the retractor body and engageable with both the first gear and the second gear;
an actuator coupled to the central drive, the actuator operable to operate the central drive to concurrently pivot the first armature and the second armature;
a shim couplable to a distal portion of the retractor blade, wherein the shim includes a pair of tabs extending respectively from a pair of arms of the shim, and wherein the retractor blade includes a plurality of pairs of grooves configured to receive the pair of tabs such that the pair of tabs can lockingly engage each pair of grooves; and
a fastener supported by the shim and configured to anchor the shim and the retractor blade to a vertebral body.